University of Vermont Campus Recreation

If you're looking for a new way to get moving this fall, look no further than our featured PEAC class: Aikido. (PEAC 073)
 
Aikido is a Japanese martial art that encourages redirection, throws, and pins. Rather than emphasizing brute strength and direct attacks, Aikido develops your internal strength and teaches the effectiveness of timing and position to use your body and momentum to your advantage. The word Aikido means "the way of harmonizing with internal power," or ki. In the PEAC course, you will practice aerobic conditioning, flexibility and relaxation skills that also cultivate the development of core power and internal energy, falling skills and self-defense techniques. Aikido emphasizes paired practice rather than solo exercises. Instructor Ben Pincus began practicing Aikido at twelve years old because he loved the way it made him feel.

"I emphasize the martial aspect, I want to be effective, but to me, the real goal of Aikido is to become integrated within my body, and that's what I try to cultivate within my students."
 
Picking up a new PEAC class can be intimidating, especially one in the martial arts. However, this class is for everyone - no matter your skill level or what you're looking to get out of the class. Unlike other martial arts or combat-based workouts, Aikido does not rely on strikes, instead teaching how to redirect attacks with throws and pins. In Aikido, you aren't trying to injure your attacker, but to protect yourself without harming them.

"It kind of breaks one out of this combative culture and relationship that we imagine the martial arts to be," Instructor Pincus notes.
 
Here's what to expect from a typical class:
 
Before you arrive:

• Wear comfortable, loose clothing, with sweatpants being preferred over shorts.
• Instructor Pincus recommends that students purchase a keikogi, a traditional judo-style uniform, but it is not required.
• As with any PEAC or Campus Recreation class, you should always bring water!

The class:

• The class is split into a few portions, beginning with a body warm-up and breathing exercises. This is to develop a sense of relaxation as well as to develop internal power, or ki.
• The class emphasizes core conditioning and strength, utilizing aerobic conditioning and specific, deliberate movements.
• The body of the class consists of Instructor Pincus demonstrating a technique, and students replicate it with tips and guidance. The class works with experiential and visual learning as opposed to verbal instruction, but Instructor Pincus is there to support you the whole way.
• While the class teaches different pins and throws, Instructor Pincus works with each student to address health or safety concerns, and can adapt techniques to different needs.

 
Aikido provides a variety of different benefits, including an increased sense of self-awareness, self-defense training, a workout exercise experience, and the ability to confront conflict outside of your fight or flight reactions.
 
"Aikido helps to develop a genuine sort of power that's not simply a visual one, but truly develops an internal power and presence that you might not get from other martial arts".
 
If you're looking for a martial art but don't want something too intense, Aikido may be the class for you!

For more information about PEAC classes, click here.

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Written by: Allie O'Connor
Date: April 14, 2020

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